L30/14/333/195

From Fritz, Whitehall to 2nd Baron Grantham:

9 Apr 1779

From: 1779 To: 1779

Opera with Lord Pelham, Nanny & little boy [Jack Parker] for first time. Went to Patagonian Theatre at Exeter Change. Midas performed by English Fantoccini. Fritz interested in a burlesque Parody of the Monody in memory of Mr. Garrick at Drury Lane. Called `Apotheosis of Punch'. Met Lord & Lady Edgecumbe there. Almodobars went to Italian Fantoccini by mistake. Queen's first appearance at Court since lying in. Dined at Legge's with Mrs. Legge, Miss Musgrave, Mr. Greville, Sir G. Cornwall, Sir Gilbert Elliott, Mr. Cholmley, son to the Parson, and Jim Hare. Won 15 out of 16 games of Whist. Fashionable to dine late etc... Murder of Miss Ray. Shot by Ackman/Hackman, formerly a Marine, on her way to her coach from Covent Garden Playhouse. She had refused his offer of marriage at Hinchinbroke previously. Most effectual punishment to make him live, rather than execution [see L 30/14/333/199*]. Murder in the King's Roads recently. John St. John called to Old Bailey to give evidence, riding by at time. Ranelagh opened last Monday. Lords Carlisle & Eden kissed Queen's hand on their return from America. Thinks Ireland Carlisle's object. Newmarket; little company, Turf on the decline. Monmourin’s watch and the steel buttons may be sent by Mr. Wilkie. Lord Chatham may give some account of Grantham. Lady Robinson nearly closed with Dr. Hurdis. Mrs. M. Thornhill lives with her, she is Mrs. C. Hardinge "en Rustico". Mr. Parker's Regiment to be in barracks at Plymouth. General Parker commands at Warley Common, General St. John may succeed him at Buckland Down. Sussex Militia quartered at Exeter. If true Tom could pass time at Saltram. Met George Selwyn, intends to bring some of Fagnani family back from France. Played cards with Lady Ilchester. Lord Ilchester & Dixon are the only two members of the Tuesday night [club] Fritz hasn't seen. Dixon in Ireland wishes to exchange preferment therefore living in England. Hasn't heard Master Crotch, the great prodigy three & half years old. Nephew & niece [Parkers] not interest in music. Boy enjoys writing. Girl reading. Sir Hugh Palliser's trial begins on Monday. Sir Charles Hardy has Gout. Jim Worsley broke collar bone falling from Stage Coach box, can't go to America. Newspapers report the Almodobars away and Grantham home.

item

Pelham,
Robinson, Anne,
Parker, Jack,
Garrick, David,
Edgecumbe,
Almodobar,
Legge,
Musgrave,
Greville,
Cornwall,
Elliott, Gilbert,
Cholmley,
Hare, Jim,
Ray,
Ackman,
Hackman,
St.John, John,
Carlisle,
Eden,
Monmourin,
Wilkie,
Chatham,
Robinson,
Hurdis,
Thornhill,
Hardinge,
Parker,
Selwyn, George,
Fagnani,
Ilchester,
Dixon,
Crotch,
Palliser, Hugh,
Hardy, Charles,
Worsley, Jim,
Worsley, James,
Almodobar

opera, murder, legal process